The eighth edition of 'Admirals Cup' Sailing Regatta concluded today, Thursday, 07 December 2017 at a glittering closing ceremony at Marakkar Watermanship Training Centre (MWTC) on the banks of the picturesque Kavvai backwaters at Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimalatonight.

Team United States of America (USA)represented by Midshipman Peter Hogan and Midshipman Brittney Slook lead by Lieutenant Sarah Bull won the Admiral's Cup with their consistent performance across all races. India represented by Cadet Praveen Prabhakar and Cadet AviralKeshav lead by Lieutenant Ashutosh Sharmawas the Runners-Up and Team Australia represented by Sub LieutanantAlixPeruzzis and Midshipman Bryson Carew lead by Lieutenant Duncan McCowan came third. Midshipman Peter Hogan of USAstood first in the individual position in the men's category followed by Cadet Praveen Prabhakar of Indian Naval Academyand 2nd Lieutenant EbrahimShowaiter of Bahrainat second and third positions respectively. Midshipman Brittney Slook of USAstood first in the individual position in women's categoryfollowed by Midshipman Anna Zelazna of Polandand Cadet Desi Sundari of Indonesiaat second and third positions respectively.

This edition saw application of Admirals Cup Sailing Regatta promulgated Notice of Racing (NOR) rules resulting in elimination of some teams from being considered for the Admirals Cup trophy as they had brought professional yachtsmen or sailors above the promulgated age. The Protest Committee received unanimous support by all participating teams in this decision, since this Cup was meant to be competed by young under training officers alone. However, these yachtsmen have been permitted to continue competing for medals in the individual open category without prejudice to team positions.

Warrant Officer Pavel Sozykin of Russiastood first in the individual open category followed by Lieutanant Alisa Kiriliuk (female) of Russiaat second position. Vice Admiral AR Karve, AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding inChief, Southern Naval Command was the chief guest for the closing ceremony. USA and Indiawill be carrying home the replicas of the Admiral's Cup and the Runners-Up trophy.

The azure blue waters of Kavvai backwaters at Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala witnessed competitive sailing races in Laser Radials boats during race days scheduled from 04 December 2017 to 07 December 2017. 58 participants, including six female participants displayed their sailing skills in the Laser Radials whilst in challenging wind and weather conditions as they squeezed every knot out of their boats over the past four days of the race. The event has become very popular since its inception in 2010.

The eighth edition of Admiral's Cup Sailing Regatta 2017, with 28 competing teams from Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Canada, Egypt, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nigeria, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vietnam and two Indian academy teams from INA and National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, has the distinction of having the highest number of participating countries in the world for any military sailing competitive event. The closest was during the 2011 Military World Games held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with 26 countries participating during that event.

Vice Admiral AR Karve, AVSM, presented the "Admiral's Cup", individual prizes and participatory plaques to the winners and each participant. In his closing address, he underlined the contribution of Admirals Cup Sailing Regatta in building bridges of friendship and as a forum for interaction between future naval leaders of the participating naval academies from around the world. He added that the Indian Navy look forward to even larger participation by maritime nations and Naval Academies in the ninth edition of the 'Admirals Cup' Sailing Regatta.

During the last five days, the visiting foreign teams and accompanying officials were involved in various activities apart from competitive racing which included visit to training and sporting facilities located at Indian Naval Academy, archaeological and fitness trek to Mount Dilli and cultural package showcasing India's rich traditions, languages, cultures, dance and art forms.Numerous school students visited Marakkar Watermanship Training Centre (MWTC) to witness and interact with the participating team members and the officers in charges.

The cyclone Ochki and the intensification of a depression over the Arabian Sea resulted in significant erosion of the beach head at Ettikulam Bay - the original venue of the Admirals Cup Regatta every year. Indian Naval Academy overcoming the challenges imposed by cyclone Ochki, conducted the eighth edition of Admiral's Cup Sailing Regatta entirely at Marakkar Watermanship Training Centre (MWTC) on the banks of the Kavvai backwaters at Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala.

The event culminated ina grand finale with the closing ceremony held in the evening today, Thursday 07 December 2017 at Marakkar Watermanship Training Centre (MWTC) on the banks of Kavvai backwaters at Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala. The participating teams will be departing INA tomorrow, 08 December 2017 having competed fiercely on theback waters hoping to be back for the ninth edition of the 'Admirals Cup' Sailing Regatta 2018.

A Brief on Cadet Praveen Prabhakar of Indian Naval Academy, Winner of Individual Men's Category.

Cadet Praveen Prabhakar, Age 23 Years, joined Indian Naval Academy on June 2017. He has completed his Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering from Anna University, Guindy, Chennai. He is the son of Sri. Mylai S Prabhakar and Smt. Kanthimathi Prabhakar and is a resident of Kilpauk, Chennai. Cadet Praveen Prabhakar, is a National sailing champion who won gold in 2009 National Sailing Championship held at Mumbai. He won the bronze medal in the National 470 Class Sailing Championship held at Mumbai in 2015, Silver in National Laser 4.7 Sailing Championship held at Chennai in 2011 and Bronze in 29er Sailing National Championship held at Chennai in the year 2011.

Cadet Praveen Prabhakar, has represented India in many international sailing events like, International 470 Class Sailing World Championship held at Israel in 2015, International 470 Dingy Class Junior World Championship held at Greece in 2015, Laser Radial Sailing Men's World Championship held at Dublin in the year 2013 and Laser 4.7 class Sailing World Championship Held at San Francisco in the year 2011.

He is a recipient of Silver medal in the "Sail the Gulf" Sailing Championship event held at Qatar in the year 2015 and Bronze in Al Bareh international regatta held at Bahrain in the year 2009. He is also the recipient of the "Admiral Nadkarni most promising Yachtsman" of the year 2008.

He credit his achievements to the constant support of his parents who have always encouraged him to actively participate in his hobby of sailing and also credit the Yachting Association of India for their constant support and all the coaches at Tamil Nadu Sailing Association for the his achievement in international sailing competition.

Team United States of America represented by Midshipman Peter Hogan and Midshipman Brittney Slook lead by Lieutenant Sarah Bull - Winners of Admiral's Cup Sailing Regatta 2017. The coveted Admirals Cup Trophy being awarded to the team by Vice Admiral AR Karve, AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command (SNC).

Team India represented by Cadet Praveen Prabhakar and Cadet Aviral Keshav lead by Lieutenat Ashutosh Sharma - Runners Up - Admiral's Cup Sailing Regatta 2017. The Runners Up Trophy being awarded to the team by Vice Admiral AR Karve, AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command (SNC).

Team Australia represented by Sub Lieutenant Alix Peruzzis and Midshipman Bryson Carew lead by Lieutenant Duncan McCowan - at third position - Admiral's Cup Sailing Regatta 2017. The trophy being awarded to the team by Vice Admiral AR Karve, AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command (SNC).

Glimpse from the glittering Closing Ceremony of the eighth edition of International Admiral's Cup Sailing Regatta at Marakkar Watermanship Training Centre (MWTC) on the banks of Kavvai backwaters, Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala.

Midshipman Peter Hogan of United States of America winner of International Admiral's Cup Sailing Regatta 2017 men's category in action.

Cadet Praveen Prabhakar of Indian Naval Academy of Bahrain runner up of International Admiral's Cup Sailing Regatta 2017 men's category in action.

2nd Lieutenant Ebrahim Showaiter of Bahrain who stood at third position in International Admiral's Cup Sailing Regatta 2017 men's category in action.

Midshipman Brittney Slook of United States of America winner of International Admiral's Cup Sailing Regatta 2017 women's category in action.

Glimpse from all four race days of the eighth edition of International Admiral's Cup Sailing Regatta 2017 at Marakkar Watermanship Training Centre (MWTC) on the banks of Kavvai backwaters, Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala.

The eighth edition of International Admiral's Cup Sailing Regatta saw school students visiting Marakkar Watermanship Training Centre (MWTC) to witness and interact with the participating team members and the officers in charges.

The team members and the Officer in Charges from various competing countries were taken on a conducted tour of all training facilities, archaeological and fitness trek along the historic Mount Dilli inside INA and were enthralled to witness the various training facilities and the elaborate cultural package that apprised them of the rich culture, heritage, dance and art forms of our country.

The participating team members pose for a group photograph with Vice Admiral SV Bhokare, AVSM, YSM, NM, Commandant and other senior officers at INA.

The officials of eighth edition of International Admiral's Cup Sailing Regatta - Commander AS Patankar (Technical Director and Chairman of the Protest Committee)

The officials of eighth edition of International Admiral's Cup Sailing Regatta – Seen Left to right - Captain Tribuvan Jaiswal (Member of the Protest Committee) and Lt Cdr Peter Beanland (Co-opted member of the Protest Committee).